Nationalist Faction of Dai Nam

The Nationalist Faction was a reactionary political clique in Dai Nam that held much influence the country's politics during the 19th century. The Nationalist Faction consisted of the most ardent supporters of the absolute monarchy of Vietnam, and it had the support of the aristocrats and the military for several years. It was dissolved when France conquered Vietnam in 1858.

History
The Nationalist Faction, like many other nationalist political cliques of the time, originated among the aristocracy. The party was founded with the goal of opposing liberal political reforms and preserving the privileges of the ruling elites of the country, and it also supported a nationalist foreign policy. Much of the party's support came from the royal family and the most right-wing faction of the royalists, and its extreme views placed it further to the right of the political spectrum than the ruling Royal Faction of Dai Nam. The Emperor of Dai Nam was mostly influenced by the conservative Royal Faction and the Nationalist Faction, which was a constant threat to his rule; the Nationalist Faction's existence meant that he had to be wary of passing reforms in his country. The Nationalists lacked popularity among the more moderate masses, however, who supported the Royal Faction due to their support for the status quo or their lack of interest in politics. The Nationalists actively tried to oppose Westernizing reforms in Dai Nam, instead favoring the creation of a large Vietnamese empire in Southeast Asia and the protection of Vietnamese culture. The faction dissolved in 1858 after France conquered Dai Nam.